Pull-out guide for a dish rack of a dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A pull-out guide ( 3 ) for a dish rack ( 2 ) of a dishwasher includes a guide rail ( 3   a ), which can be fixed to a washing container ( 1 ) of a dishwasher, and a running rail ( 3   c ), which can be connected to a lattice-like dish rack ( 2 ), as well as a center rail ( 3   b ) to extend the pull-out length, wherein the running rail ( 3   c ) is coupled to the center rail ( 3   b ) such that the running rail ( 3   c ) after rendering the coupling ineffective can be pulled off the center rail ( 3   b ) in the pull-out direction A. The coupling means include a stop ( 6 ), which is disposed on the center rail side and protrudes in the direction of the running rail ( 3   c ), and an engagement member ( 7 ) engaging behind the stop ( 6 ) in the pull-out direction (A), wherein the carrier ( 7 ) can be moved out of the contact zone with the stop ( 6 ) transversely to the pull-out direction by an actuating device ( 8 ).

The present invention relates to a pull-out guide for a dish rack of adishwasher, including a guide rail securable to a washing container of adishwasher, and a running rail connectable to a lattice-like dish rack,as well as a center rail to extend the pull-out length, with the runningrail being coupled with the center rail in such a way that the runningrail can be pulled off the center rail in the pull-out direction afterrendering the coupling ineffective.

Pull-out guides of the afore-mentioned type are known per se, wherebythe possibility to completely separate the dish rack including therunning rail from the pull-out guide serves the purpose toaccommodate—if need be—also large-area structures such as baking pans orthe like in the dishwasher and to clean them. Even if the cleaning jobis required to be thorough, it is of advantage to allow a fullseparation of the dish rack including the running rail from theremaining components of the pull-out guide.

The separation capability is obtained by known constructions throughprovision of stop plugs on the terminal ends of the center rails of thepull-out guides arranged on the left-hand side and right-hand side,which plugs can be removed optionally from the center rails.

Such a solution has shortcomings for several reasons.

As the plugs on the terminal ends of the center rails must absorb duringnormal operation the forces that can be encountered when fully pullingout the dish rack, it is necessary to firmly connect the plugs with thecenter rails, resulting in a cumbersome manipulation when removing theplug, regardless whether fastening screws have to be loosened or clampsfor formfitting securement of the plugs on the center rail have to beremoved.

The known constructions have the further drawback that there is a riskof forgetting the attachment and locking of the plugs after the runningrails are again pushed into the center rails, causing an uncontrolledseparation of the dish rack from the other guide elements, when the dishrack is subsequently pulled out, and a possible dropping thereof.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a pull-out guideof the afore-stated type which is characterized by a simple handling,when separating the running rail from the center rail as well as by anautomated securement between running rail and center rail after the dishrack assumes the pushed-in position.

This object is solved in accordance with the invention by coupling meanswhich include a stop, arranged on the center rail side and projecting inthe direction of the running rail, and an engagement member arranged onthe running rail and reaching behind the stop in pull-out direction,wherein the engagement member can be moved out of the contact zone withthe stop transversely to the pull-out direction by an actuating device.

Such a construction provides the advantage that a desired separation ofrunning rail and center rail requires only triggering of the actuatingdevice in order to be able implement the desired separation as in thiscase the engagement member is moved away from the contact zones with thestop arranged on the side of the center rail and remains captive in therunning rail.

A particularly practical construction is established when the engagementmember is urged in the direction of the center rail by means of anenergy accumulator, preferably a spring.

As a result, when running rail and center rail are joined together aftera preceding separation, the coupling is spontaneously reestablished asthe engagement member simply sweeps in this case over the stop whenpushed in, and able to return to its effective position.

There is thus no need for the user to show particular attention so thatthere is no risk of inadvertent separation between running rail andcenter rail, when the dish rack is pulled out again.

Further features of the invention are the subject matter of furthersub-claims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the attacheddrawings and described in greater detail hereinafter.

It is shown in:

FIG. 1 a perspective illustration of a dish rack pushed out from apartly depicted washing container of a dishwasher and provided with apull-out guide,

FIG. 2 a comparable perspective illustration from an opposite viewingdirection,

FIG. 3 a detailed illustration of the connection zone between the dishrack and a pull-out guide,

FIG. 4 a perspective illustration corresponding to FIG. 3 withoutdepiction of an actuating device for coupling or decoupling of a runningrail with respect to the remaining elements of a pull-out guide,

FIG. 5 a partial section along the line V-V in FIG. 3 with non-actuatedactuating device,

FIG. 6 a section corresponding to FIG. 5 upon activation of theactuating device,

FIG. 7 a section along the line VII-VII in FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 a section along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 a detailed illustration of a pull-out guide according to afurther exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b perspective illustrations of an actuating deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 in different viewingdirections,

FIGS. 11 and 12 a view and a sectional illustration of elements of anactuating device for a pull-out guide according to a further exemplaryembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 13 a perspective illustration of an actuating device of a pull-outguide according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 14 a view of the actuating device in the direction of the arrow XIVin FIG. 13,

FIGS. 15 and 16 perspective illustrations of an actuating device of apull-out guide according to a further exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

Reference character 1 designates in each of FIGS. 1 and 2 a washingcontainer of an otherwise unillustrated dishwasher which receives alattice-like dish rack 2 which in turn can be pulled out from theinterior of the washing container 1 into the illustrated loadingposition via pull-out guides 3 of which only one is shown for ease ofillustration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show merely the left-hand side pull-out guide 3; Ofcourse, a respective pull-out guide is also provided on the right-handside for complete guidance of the dish rack 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pull-out guide 3 includes a guiderail 3 a, a center rail 3 b to extend the pull-out length, and a runningrail 3 c.

The guide rail 3 a is secured on the washing container 1 of thedishwasher, and the running rail 3 c carries the dish rack 2, with acarrier 4 being provided for connection between dish rack 2 and runningrail 3 c. The carrier 4 is secured to the running rail 3 c in anydesired manner and so configured as to be able to hold the dish rack 2in a preferably clamping way and in the absence of additional fasteningmeans in an intended position.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a rolling bearing cage 5 isarranged between the center rail 3 b and the running rail 3 c and hasrolling elements 5 a on which the running rail 3 c is guided on theoutside and the center rail 3 b on the inside.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 7 and 8, a stop 6 is provided on therolling bearing cage 5 between the center rail 3 b and the running rail3 c and projects in the direction of the running rail 3 c.

As shown in FIG. 7, an engagement member 7 reaches behind this stop 6 sothat all components of the pull-out guide 3 can be pulled out to therespective end stop when the dish rack 2 is pulled out via theengagement member 7 and the stop 6.

The engagement member 7 is movably supported transversely to thedisplacement direction and connected with an actuating device 8 by whichthe engagement member 7 is movable from its coupling position accordingto FIG. 7 to a decoupling position according to FIG. 8. The engagementmember 7 can be moved in this decoupling position according to FIG. 8over the stop 6 of the rolling bearing cage 5 in the absence of anyentrainment. As a result, the running rail 3 c, after the engagementmember 7 has passed over the stop 6, can be completely separated fromthe center rail 3 b.

This means that the dish rack 2 is fully separated in a simple mannerfrom the components that remain of the pull-out guides 3 on the washingcontainer 1 on the left-hand side and right-hand side.

When returning the dish rack 2 to its intended position, it is onlyrequired to “thread” the running rails into the center rails and to pushback the dish rack to its pushed-in position. During this push back, theengagement member 7 passes over the stop 6 in opposition to the pull-outdirection “A” and engages then behind this stop 6 so that during arenewed opening procedure entrainment and also an end stop in maximalpush-out position is ensured.

In order to facilitate the passage of the engagement member 7 over thestop 6 as the dish rack 2 is pushed in, the stop 6 is formed with aslanted ramp surface 6 a which ascends towards the backside of thewashing container 1, and the engagement member 7 is formed with acorresponding slant.

The engagement member 7 is coupled in the illustrated exemplaryembodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 8 with an actuating device 8 which isan integral component of the carrier 4. The carrier 4 is hereby overallmade preferably of corrosion-resistant sheet metal and the attachedactuating device 8 is configured as a type of flexible spring having aspring force to urge the engagement member 7 continuously in thedirection of the center rail 3 b. When desiring to move the engagementmember 7 out of this coupling position (corresponding to theillustration in FIG. 7), the actuating device 8 must be pulled out inopposition to its inherent spring force into the position according toFIG. 8 (see arrow “B” in FIGS. 7 and 8).

The two different pivot positions of the actuating device 8 are shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, with FIG. 5 depicting the non-activated actuating device8 and thus the coupling state, and FIG. 6 the activated actuating device8 and thus the decoupled state.

In order to facilitate handling of the actuating device 8 by the user,the actuating device is provided on its free end with a free-standingand thus well accessible gripping piece 8 a, which is best seen in FIGS.5 and 6.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the coupling between runningrail 3 c and center rail 3 b is implemented, as mentioned, via therolling bearing cage 5.

Notwithstanding the afore-described, it is, of course, also conceivableto eliminate the need for a rolling bearing cage between running rail 3c and center rail 3 b altogether and to provide instead a pure slidingguide. In this case, the center rail 3 b would directly be provided withthe stop 6.

FIGS. 9 to 16 show possible embodiments for actuating devices 8 for theengagement member 7.

FIGS. 9 to 10 b depict an actuating device 8 which, as opposed to theafore-described actuating device 8, does not have to be “pulled” but“pushed” in the sense that pressure application upon the lower region ofthe actuating device 8 causes the engagement member 7 to be pulled outfrom the contact zone with the stop 6.

Also in such a solution, there is preferably a variation in which aspring or the like continuously urges the engagement member 7 in thedirection of the center rail 3 b.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a possible embodiment for an actuating device 8which in the broadest sense is configured as rotary knob. A bolt 8 awith a guide ball 8 d is supported in a sleeve 8 b with a thread-likeguide groove 8 c and engages the guide groove 8 c. A torsion spring 9which, on one hand, engages a head piece 8 e of the bolt 8 a and, on theother hand, is coupled with the sleeve 8 b, continuously urges theactuating pin 8 a in the direction in which an engagement member 7, notshown here, is held in coupling position.

FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically depict an actuating device 8 having aslider 10 as actuating element. This slider 10 is connected with aflexible band 11 having a free end to carry the engagement member 7. Theslider 10 is urged by a spring 12 in such a way that the engagementmember 7 is continuously forced in the direction of the center rail 3 b.When manually actuating the slider 10 in opposition to the action of thespring 12, the engagement member 7 is pulled out of its couplingposition via the flexible band.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is especially advantageousbecause the transmission of the necessary forces upon the engagementmember 7 via the flexible band 11 enables many installation options forthe slider 10.

The slider 10 may, for example, be arranged within a plane oriented at aright angle to the displacement plane of the engagement member 7. Ofcourse, other angular positions can be realized as well withoutadversely affecting the functionality.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show finally a possibility of an actuating device 8 foran engagement member 7, again provided with a slider 10 for handling theactuating device 8. Connected to the slider 10 is a wedge-shaped arm 13which traverses an opening 14 of the engagement member 7. The engagementmember 7 is moved to its coupling position or pulled out of thiscoupling position in dependence on the displacement direction of theslider 10 and thus also of the wedge-shaped arm 13.

The respective disposition of springs 12 or other energy accumulatorsalso causes the engagement member 7 to be held continuously in thedirection of the center rail 3 b when the actuating device 10 is notactuated.

FIGS. 9 to 16 show only by way of example many constructive measures toconfigure an actuating device 8. As a result, the illustrated exemplaryembodiments are not to be understood as exhaustive because furthervariations are, of course, conceivable for a designer.

1.-13. (canceled)
 14. A pull-out guide for a dish rack of a dishwasher,comprising: a guide rail securable to a washing container of adishwasher; a running rail connectable to a lattice-like dish rack andmovably guided in the guide rail to allow a movement of the running railand the dish rack in a pull-out direction; a center rail interactingwith the running rail to extend a pull-out length, a couplingconstructed for detachable connection of the running rail from thecenter rail and including a stop projecting in a direction of therunning rail and an engagement member arranged on the running rail andsized to reach behind the stop as viewed in the pull-out direction; andan actuating device operably connected to the engagement member to allowdisengagement of the engagement member from the stop in a directiontransversely to the pull-out direction.
 15. The pull-out guide of claim14, further comprising an energy accumulator to urge the engagementmember in a direction of the center rail.
 16. The pull-out guide ofclaim 15, wherein the energy accumulator is a spring.
 17. The pull-outguide of claim 14, wherein the stop is arranged directly on the centerrail.
 18. The pull-out guide of claim 14, wherein the coupling includesa rolling bearing cage having rolling elements for support of the centerrail on one side and support of the running rail on an opposite side,said stop being arranged on the rolling bearing cage.
 19. The pull-outguide of claim 14, wherein the engagement member is constructed totraverse through the running rail and coupled with the actuating device.20. The pull-out guide of claim 14, wherein the actuating device isconfigured in the form of a flexible spring which applies a spring forceby which the engagement member is urged into a coupling position withthe stop, when the actuating device assumes a base position, saidactuating device being deflectable in opposition to the spring force touncouple the engagement member from the stop.
 21. The pull-out guide ofclaim 14, wherein the actuating device is configured in the form ofpressure-operated component.
 22. The pull-out guide of claim 14, whereinthe actuating device includes a spring-biased slider and a flexible bandconnected to the slider and having a free end which is connected to theengagement member.
 23. The pull-out guide of claim 14, wherein theactuating device has a slider and a wedge-shaped arm coupled to theslider and sized to extend through an opening of the engagement member.24. The pull-out guide of claim 23, wherein the actuating deviceincludes a spring assembly to urge the slider and the engagement membercontinuously into a direction of coupling with the stop.
 25. Thepull-out guide of claim 14, wherein the stop has a slanted ramp surfaceascending in a direction of a backside of the washing container.
 26. Thepull-out guide of claim 25, wherein the engagement member has a slantedsurface corresponding to the slanted ramp surface of the stop.